Every September, Phuket comes alive with a festival that blends spirituality, tradition, and community spirit: the Por Tor Festival (locally known as Por Tor Phu-ket or the Hungry Ghost Festival). For generations, Phuket’s Chinese-Thai community has celebrated this annual ritual to honor ancestors and to show respect for wandering spirits. More than just a religious event, the Por Tor Festival reflects Phuket’s deep cultural roots and offers visitors a glimpse into the island’s heritage beyond its famous beaches.
The Meaning of Por Tor
The name “Por Tor” comes from the Hokkien dialect, meaning to give offerings to spirits without relatives. The festival is based on the Chinese belief that during the seventh lunar month, the gates of the underworld open, allowing spirits to roam the human world. Families honor their ancestors with offerings, while also showing compassion to wandering souls who have no descendants to care for them.
For locals, the Por Tor Festival is a reminder of gratitude and filial piety. It’s a time when families gather at shrines and community spaces to express respect for the past while blessing the present and future.
The Red Turtle Cake – A Symbol of Longevity 🐢
One of the most recognizable symbols of the Por Tor Festival is the Red Turtle Cake (Ang Ku). Made from sticky rice flour and dyed a bright red, the cake is shaped like a turtle—an animal that symbolizes longevity, strength, and prosperity in Chinese culture.
During the festival, families prepare or purchase red turtle cakes in different sizes and present them as offerings to Por Tor Kong, the guardian deity of the underworld, as well as to their ancestors. The color red represents happiness and good fortune, while the turtle form conveys wishes for long life and protection.
Rituals and Community Spirit ✨
Throughout the festival period, shrines across Phuket—especially in the Phuket City Municipality area—hold ceremonies to pay respect to Por Tor Kong. Offerings include not only turtle cakes but also fresh fruits, traditional food, and joss paper. Families and communities gather to pray, burn incense, and share food, creating a sense of unity that binds generations together.
The festival is not limited to solemn rituals. Local communities often organize cultural activities, parades, and communal meals. These events give visitors the chance to witness a living tradition, where devotion and celebration exist side by side.
Por Tor Festival 2025 (BE 2568) 📅
In 2025 (B.E. 2568), the Por Tor Festival will take place from 4–21 September, with ceremonies held at shrines and community centers across Phuket City Municipality. Visitors during this period can expect vibrant scenes of offerings, red turtle cakes stacked high, and the warm atmosphere of families paying respect together.
For tourists, this is a rare opportunity to step beyond the beaches and experience Phuket’s cultural heartbeat.
Why You Should Experience Por Tor in Phuket 🌟
Phuket is often celebrated for its sun, sand, and sea—but the Por Tor Festival reveals another side of the island. It is an expression of gratitude, cultural identity, and community spirit. By joining the festival, even as an observer, visitors can connect with the deeper soul of Phuket.
The blend of rituals, symbolism, and local participation makes Por Tor one of the most unique cultural festivals in southern Thailand. It is not only about honoring the dead but also about strengthening the bonds of the living.
Visitor Information
📍 Where: Shrines and communities in Phuket City Municipality
🗓️ When: 4–21 September 2025
🎎 Highlights: Ceremonies to Por Tor Kong, offerings of red turtle cakes, and local community events
Conclusion
The Por Tor Festival is more than a religious ritual—it is a cultural expression of Phuket’s Chinese heritage and a reminder of the island’s diversity. Visitors who come in September will find themselves immersed in an atmosphere of devotion and community pride. It is a chance to see Phuket not just as a tropical paradise, but as a living cultural landscape where tradition continues to thrive.
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